For some reason Asus has decided to release some Asus Eee PC laptops with a RAM access panel on the back of the unit, while others lack that easy access panel. Otherwise, there are few differences between the machines.

As I demonstrated a few months ago, upgrading your RAM is an incredibly easy process if you have an access panel on the back. You just unscrew two screws holding the panel in place, pop out your old RAM and pop in a new stick. That's it. The whole thing takes less than 60 seconds.

But if you don't have a RAM access panel, the process can be a bit more complicated. Not impossible, just more complicated. Fortunately, I recently came across this video on YouTube which does a great job of laying out step by step instructions.

If you're not comfortable taking your computer apart, then you'd better get comfortable with 512MB of RAM. Keep in mind that disassembling your computer case and poking around on the insides is likely to void your warranty. But if you follow the instructions in the video closely, you should be able to upgrade your RAM.

Note that these instructions apparently do not work if you have an Eee PC 2G. They are only for the 4G models.

Asus plans to show off its next generation Eee PC at CES during a presentation on January 7th. That's pretty much all we know at the moment. No real word on whether the new machine will sport a larger screen, higher res display, more memory, or anything else. But since the events is cosponsored by Asus and Sprint to show off WiMAX wireless technology, we can also assume that the new devices will either include a WiMAX adapter or will be designed to work with optional WiMAX components.

Some sites are also reporting that the next generation Eee PC will sport a 8.9 inch display instead of the current 7 inch model. But Asus has not officially confirmed this. And it's not clear whether a device with a larger screen will need a larger case and keyboard, or whether Asus will just move the speakers and webcam and make a screen that takes up the whole size of the computer lid.

[via Engadget]